The Diplomat on Brady Street (Burgers w/Brothers!) 11.20.2024

 It was the third installation of the Burgers w/Brothers 2024. The eldest made the choice to go a bit more upscale for his burger. Not that we've been hanging out at dives or dumps. We've enjoyed quite the range of locations and varieties of burgers. His choice, The Diplomat. Located just East of Van Buren on Brady street. Cool vibe as soon as you walk in. There is a front space/bar area that's pretty chill. Around the corner is the dining room area. Well done. Warm, almost cozy space with plenty of art and little vignettes with interesting items. Our server was Roxanne. The menu is very simple, not many items. The idea is shared plates. I'm just not a fan of the term "small plates". Shared I can handle. Anyway, there is only one burger to choose from so that's what we all had. "The Diplomac". Prime beef burger, tomato, lettuce, American cheese, "1000 Island Dressing", pickle and red onion. (their description) $17 without a side.

How about that burger? Dang, it was good! I don't know if it was because I was surprised by how tidy it looked or the choice of roll/bun. No matter, it all worked together perfectly. The "1000 Island Dressing" is nothing like the Kraft foods version. All the condiments were freshly created on site. It made a difference for sure. The sandwich held together bite after bite. Nothing sliding out the back or slopping on to my plate or lap. I took a snitch off the side, just meat. Not crazy seasoned. Could have had a bit more flavor but maybe the rest of it makes up for that. We shared a plate of the Diplomat Fries. These aren't your average fries. Blanched and then fried 3 times. Light and crisp.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

Overall great taste. Fresh ingredients made for a great mix of flavors. If I'm paying $17 a burger it should be like this.

https://www.thediplomatmke.com/

Return to 5th Ward Camino 04/19/2024

 I've been to Camino a few times now. Both locations keep on satisfying my burger needs. This time I was back in Milwaukee's 5th Ward for Gallery Night. I was showing several pieces of my art at the Eagleknit Building on South 2nd Street. It was going to be a long night if didn't have some kind of nourishment. A quick search for nearby food turned up Camino. It was literally across the street from the venue.

Camino on South 2nd street is quite a bit smaller than it's West Allis location. Limited seating makes it cozy. The grill is embedded in the bar space. A couple of guys are cooking food directly behind the bartender as she moves back and forth along the bar. If the weather cooperates, you can sit outside in the cool outdoor area snugged in along the one side and behind the building.

I had the Burger. Pretty straight forward. Ordered it medium. Perfect. I cut it in half. The first side I ate without the pickle. Great flavor. The onions really added to the overall taste. The second half I added the pickle. Next level stuff. Where's all this flavor coming from? I got to see the process. The bun rests along side the burgers as they cook. What can I say about the fries. Super skinny and crunchy. Flavor so good I skipped the ketchup!

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

Yummy. Priced right. The fries really made it all come together. Love the vibe inside this place.

 

Friday Fish Fry Burger Night-State Fair Inn 03.03.2023

 Hey, it's another Friday Night Fish Fry in Milwaukee! That's cool. I had my fish fry a couple weeks ago. How about a burger? 

The State Fair Inn has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years! Formerly a Schlitz Brewing company bar up until 1921, State Fair Inn hasn't changed much in some time. No need. They do what they do well.

My review might have a bit of skew to it because Fish Fry doesn't always equal yummy burgers. This burger was decent. Spiced up right, juicy. The bun was fresh and went well with the burger. I think the burger set me back about $12. Fries included.

Rate it: 4 of 5 I wouldn't go out of my way to get a burger at the State Fair Inn but, if you happen to stop by, it's a decent bet you'll like what you get.

Just remember, they are closed on the weekend and only serve food between 5-8:30PM when they are open. 

http://www.statefairinn1921.com/aboutus.html

10/02/22 - Wayne's Drive-In, Cedarburg WI - Seasonal Favorite

Wisconsin like the rest of the upper midwest has a restricted outdoor dining season. Over the years, businesses like drive-ins have adapted their property to serve all year round. Others, they just keep it seasonal. Wayne's is one of them. No complaints. I hope they enjoy the time off.

Wayne's is one of my seasonal must haves. Is it because it's the best burger? Not really. I think that because Wayne's is seasonal and I can only have it during the warmer months, my mind associates them with that warm feeling of the sun shining down while you lean against your car munching a cheeseburger fresh off the griddle. The building adorned with memories of the history of Wayne's and all the kitschy items new and old that cover the walls. Generations come for meals together to share this. The staff is always working hard, friendly and helpful. It would be interesting how many of the current staff may have a link to past staff members. See what I mean? You got to support this stuff! Families, generations of friends and neighbors. 

Oh yes, I did have a burger. Well, a cheeseburger. With American cheese, tomato and raw onion. It was dang good. They don't use words like grass fed or organic. I think they just get the best beef patties they can. I'm cool with that. Fresh condiments, bakery (buns) are a plus. It was really juicy.

Rate it: 3.5 of 5 Always a decent burger, good price, great service (could be a 4 of 5?)

Wayne's website

A Jam Session at the Wauwatiki 07.07.2020

It was my birthday on Sunday, July 5th (thank you, thank you). We weren't in town to celebrate, nor were many restaurants open. We decided that we would celebrate on Tuesday night. Our good friends Karen and Brian gave us a gift card some time ago for Wauwatiki Bar & Grill, one of my (our) favorite places to drink and eat.
The situation with Covid-19 made the crowd a bit more sparse than usual on a Taco Tuesday. Not sure why a Caribbean/ Hawaiian restaurant would offer tacos but, what the heck. We got a booth somewhat distanced from the nearest couple or group of people. It felt special, really.
We ordered a couple of cocktails. She had a Rum Manhattan. I had a Mai Thai. Appetizer, Pork Belly. All, delicious!
Gee, what would I order if I could? A burger? Why not, it's my birthday, right?
A Bacon Onion Jam Burger for me, Hawaiian Style Fried Rice for her.
There may have been a Rum & Coke in between the ordering and delivery of the mains.
Wow!! So delicious! I'm not a big fan of covering my burger with all kinds of stuff but, dang, this was awesome. Juicy, flavors all worked together. The Crack Fries, a little too much for me. I also think it took a bit away from the main dishes. The fries on their own might be delicious but, each time I had some, I had to re-adjust my mouth to eating other foods. (sorry)
Everything was excellent. The staff was cool with all the masks and respecting our space.
I can't complain about the prices, it's worth every buck.
4.5 of 5
I will be back. Next time, outdoors on the cool patio with friends (I hope)

Wait, a Patty Melt? that's not a burger!-Birchwood, Up North (08.2019)

A Fall tradition, pulling the pier out for the season. It's one of those events you don't look forward to for a couple of reasons. It's a lot of work and it also means that the warm season in Wisconsin is coming to an end. It's a family project.
Part of the day's events is lunch at the bar that's down the road a piece. The same place we go to pull the boats out. They have a boat launch that is public access.
We usually grab our favorite beverage, shoot some pool and grab a bite to eat. I usually get the burger. This time I thought I might try the Patty Melt. Why not? It' and open face burger on rye. (less carbs!) They always do right with their burgers and other food.
The melt arrives. Looks good. Tastes even better! Now I'm really glad I decided to go with the melt.
Rate it:
4 of 5
Dang good stuff. Funky place on a lake. Up North. Always great eats.

Snug in the woods. (not my photo)

Ok at Joe's K Ranch

A couple of weeks back I was having an all Cudahy day with my great nephews. (both are great and well, great) We went bowling at Motion just off of Packard Avenue. Unlimited bowling for two hours, shoes for $8. Milwaukee area at it's best.
Generally, when I'm out with these guys, it's a burger run. Why be any different this time, right? Quite a few places offering a burger in the area were closed on Sunday. The one place, Joe's K Ranch on Whitnall Avenue suggested they have a tasty temptation. In business since 1958, surrounded by industrial buildings, auto scrap yards, upholstery shops and just down the road from Ladish Co., the location must have seen Cudahy/Milwaukee during the boom.
The interior has been modified to accommodate larger groups but, the original bar area shows a vignette of what it may have looked like before.
We all ordered burgers. One stripped of almost everything, another with cheese and not much else. Mine came with the works, raw onions.
They are big burgers. 1/3 pound and I think that's after cooking. I got the haystack onions. They were good but not amazing. The burger, cooked almost perfect. A little pink. Seasoning was just enough. The bun was griddle toasted making it a bit more tasty.
Over all, it's good stuff. Price was pretty much aligned with current market pricing.

4 of 5
I'm not going to say it was the best, certainly not the worst. The atmosphere was a little to family dining for me. The large party room wasn't separated making it less cozy. That didn't make it taste bad. It just sort of took away from the experience.

Okay, I Got the Point. (Point Burger Bar)

03/28/2016
I've been wanting to get out to the Point Burger Bar since I found out that Point Brewing was planning to open at the Park Place location.
Is it a Burger Bar? or a bar that has burgers? I'm going with a Burger Bar. They have quite the selection. Some of the basics, with their naming. Then there's Duck, Lamb, Turkey, Veggie, Bison and Salmon. That could be fun, I guess. It is supposed to be and upscale eatery/bar.
I came in thinking go basic to get the "real" flavor. Upon looking at the menu I decided maybe I should get the one that bears the name, Point Burger ($13.95) Prime Angus, Sarvecchio Montamore Cheese, Nuke’s Bacon, Truffle Mayo, Brioche Bun. Would I be considered out of line to say, I'm sick of the word Brioche. So, order I did. I requested to have the Truffle Mayo on the side. "You can't do that, you will need to Build Your Own Burger." Really? I'm paying $14 for a burger, put the sauce on the side! Well, I got the Classic (Prime Angus, American Cheese, Lettuce, Onion, Tomato, Kaiser Bun) because I didn't want to fill out a card explaining my preferences. Did you see that the "Classic" is served on a Kaiser roll. Hmm.
When it arrived, I was pleased to see that the meat was cooked just right, a little pink. Not terribly appealing appearance-wise. Sort of looked too formed. Flavor was good. The cook wasn't afraid to use some spices. Cheese was a bit lacking for flavor.
I'm not going to complain about particular things. It was cooked how I like it. Seasoning was good. Roll seemed fresh as did the tomato, red onions and lettuce.
The decor wasn't much to write about. The wall covered with kegs was pretty cool. I think they might cozy it up a bit. Totally my taste.
Rate it: 3.5 of 5
Not bad. Not mind blowing. Price is within the modern restaurant burger range. I'm already on record for whining about what we get for $10 these days. Service was a mixed bag. When she was at our table, she seemed attentive.
I might go back. It might be a while because more of these burger joints are opening around town. Financially and caloric-ally difficult to get to all of them.

Parkside 23-Anniversary dinner

Parkside 23 is one of those places I've been wanting to go to for some time. The curb appeal is really something. Outdoor seating wasn't an option because it was cool with a chance of rain. Maybe next time.
You already know how classy I am so, this won't be too surprising... I went for dinner with my wife to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary and had a burger. (Loser!) She's cool with that. Actually, it might put some flags up if I didn't order a burger.
The menu has quite a few interesting dishes to order. Brats, bacon & mac. How good does that sound? Maybe it should be on a burger?
It's always best to go with the basics. Parkside really only offers one burger. Simply called "Burger with cheese". That is fine with me. I won't have to take away all the extra stuff to get to the meat.
The burger arrives. Fresh fries (peel on potato) bun shining from a buttery touch, vegetable accessories on the side-tomato, pickle, lettuce. A little cup of ketchup on the side. I ordered medium rare with cheddar. It was a little more towards rare but, not a lot.
I cut a little chunk to get the taste. Nice. Butter, onions and seasoned without fear. I tried the onions by them self, exceptional. All of the flavor came together when I added the tomato and lettuce (both very fresh and crisp)
4 of 5
Price was relative to modern pricing on burgers, scene was okay-we had a corner table, a little more private

3 Burger Weekend (or as I call it heaven!)

It wasn't my intention to have three different burgers in one weekend but, let me tell you how it happened.
Junior's Custard Milwaukee, WI
Hunger and nostalgia drove the first burger. Now called Junior's Custard, the food stand that's been at the intersection of 60th & Appleton Avenue in Milwaukee has been a custard stand serving Jumbo Burgers since 1950 when Elsa & Karl Kopp opened their first stand. Will Junior's deliver the same quality Jumbo burger? I had to find out. The lot was empty when I arrived. I thought maybe they weren't open yet. The menu is quite different than the days when it was Kopp's or Robert's. Chicken, Fish, Gyros, Rubens etc. I went straight for the classic, Jumbo cheeseburger. When it arrived, I so ready to eat it. I sat in my car and had the first bite. Pretty decent. I wasn't having the nostalgic taste bud reaction that I thought I would. It was different. Was it because of all the anticipation? I decided to wait until I got to a place where I could sit and just enjoy it. Not much of a difference. The burger was okay. The bun, a bit dry. The seasoning was alright but didn't really do much for over all flavor.
2.5 of 5
Price was fair. Restaurant was clean and staff was pleasant. Not amazed with burger. Actually not as Jumbo as I recalled.

Trocadero Milwaukee, WI
The next experience was truly unexpected. Dinner and the theater. We decided that Trocadero, Milwaukee would be a nice place to dine at. Their menu offered choices for all of us. Little did I know, they had a burger on the menu. Was I silly to order a burger at a place that serves Sordfish or Marengo Chicken & Lobster sandwiches? Not at all. Everybody knows that I've passed up some delicious menu items to test the burger. No regrets. The cook/chef wasn't afraid to season the patty or to cook it to near perfect for my likings. My choice, Au Poivre Burger.
4+ of 5
Pricy, Excellent flavor, Not embarrassing to eat a burger while others have the fancy stuff.

Within 24 hours, I was sitting for the third and final burger experience of the weekend.

Red Dot Wauwatosa, WI
I went straight for the Classic with cheese. I've been to Red Dot for a burger before. It was quite good. (will I have to look at my own blog?) This was per-meditated. I came seeking a burger. A burger I got. Simple and tasty.
4 of 5
Price is appropriate, scene is swell, staff took good care of us.

Factory Food (04.04.2015)

I've always wondered what happens inside of the Cheesecake Factory. A stand alone structure, usually near a mall of some kind. You might think that upon entering, you would find yourself in a Willy Wonka like environment of cheesecakes. It wasn't.
The decor is sort of like a set from Raiders of the Lost Arc. We were seated immediately in a booth in a really neat little room off the main floor. (did they know who I was? I doubt it.)
It's hard to believe how many different dishes they serve at any given time. The cocktail and wine list was even more vast. Fresh bread and refreshments to get started.
I got the Factory Burger. The description seemed closest to a regular burger. My only concern was the bread/bun. The sample piece at the table was tasty so, what the heck.
Medium rare, as usual. The burger arrived. Hold it, it wasn't a round patty? Trust them. First bite, these folks aren't afraid to season their food. Black pepper and grill flavors mixed with sauteed onions and a fresh tomato. The bread was interesting, a little crunchy. The salty edge of the bread sort of tied everything together. So, I'm not complaining.
Cooked the way I like. My only thing was the shape of the "burger". To my taste buds, this was something slightly different than a burger. I can't put my finger on it. Was it the shape or bread?

The rating:
3.5 of 5
I would almost like to call this sandwich something different than a burger just for the fact that it is elongated. Overall, I liked it. I'm not sure if I would go back specifically to have a burger. The fries were tasty and just enough quantity. Price was the same as it is all over these days. (old guy talking)

Red Dot (Tosa) Hits the Spot!

11.06.2014
The plan for the night was to hit a couple of art exhibits and then head home for some grill time. Specifically, burgers on the grill. As you might guess, because of this entry, we never made it to our home grill.

Turns out, that's okay because we decided to check out the Red Dot in Wauwatosa. It's been on the list of places to go for some time. The big draw was the idea that they serve French-Canadian cuisine. Poutine, a crazy mix of fries, cheese and gravy. I don't blog about Poutine. I blog about burgers...

Using our fancy phone and the internet, we research the menu as we headed West from Riverwest. They list quite a few burgers. Now I'm interested! The Classic seems like the correct one to select. A burger, bun and some veggies on top of the patty. Or should I go for the Bacon Cheese Burger?

When we got there the place was hopping. While waiting we noticed chalkboards with specials listed. The one board listed something called the Gordo Burger. Time to go big or go home! This puppy has a burger topped with pulled pork, caramelized red onion, roasted garlic and lettuce.

Gordo it was. The smokey flavor of the pork really bumped the taste buds to a different place than I expected. The patty itself, pretty good. I always snitch a piece without any stuff on it to get the true taste of the burger. From there, game on. Everything together. The combinations of garlic, caramelized onion and buttered bun just melded with the pork and beef. Hold on, was this a pulled pork sandwich with a burger or a burger with pulled pork? The pork was on top so, it's a burger. Really yummy.

Rate It:
3.5++ of 5
$11 was fine. Burger proper was fairly tasty. Maybe a little seasoning to the patty. All the items on it were done perfectly. The bun had great flavor and seemed to be very fresh. Atmosphere was pretty decent. The bar was cramped. The dining area, although we were in the middle of the room, had a cozy feel. I plan to return when the patio is open again.

North Avenue Grill lives up to reputation

The North Avenue grill has been around for a while now. The word on the street, great burgers. Really? I must stop in some day. That day came. No regrets. It's good stuff.

The grill setting is fun. Sit in a booth or hang at the counter. The staff greets you as you walk in and thanks you on the way out. Nice.

It's "build your own" so, I get thrown off a little bit. Toppings are extra at some point. I didn't make it there. Simple food for a simple guy, I guess.

The burger was cooked exactly the way I like it. Just enough pink. Juicy, flavorful. The fries were way delicious. Peel on, cooked just right and quite a large order. 

Rating: 4.5 of 5
Seasoned right, tasty bun and fresh toppings. Neat place, sort of the throw-back stuff I like. The leftovers fared well.

North Avenue Grill

Made the call @ Port of Call (NOLA)

There was all kinds of information on the internet about best burgers around New Orleans. One place that stood out from the crowd was Port of Call. A short walk from where I was staying. I passed it a couple times while out on a run. Smells are always free! There was always a crowd waiting outside. I finally found an opportunity to go for it.

It didn't feel like a burger place inside. You walk through a bar to get in to the back room where there is a combination of booths and tables. The kitchen is right off the dining area so wait traffic runs back and forth past you the whole time. Not that it bothered me, just saying. There's no fries on the menu. Just potatoes. Big baked potatoes with crazy piles of toppings if you so wish.

I ordered my burger medium rare, cheddar cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce. It was a substantial burger. The 1/2 might be after cooking, it was thick. Medium rare to me is a fair amount of pink maybe a splash of red. This was pretty much red. I think that's where the flavor dropped off. Not bad but, I think with just a little more heat and the rest time before serving this could have been a good one to right about. It also seemed a bit void of seasoning. The roll was tasty and the toppings were fresh.

Rating: 4 of 5
Overall price and atmosphere were okay. Again, maybe my expectations were too high and mal-adjusted my buds. I was glad to see a place that wasn't afraid to serve their meat cooked fairly rare.

Port of Call, NOLA

Sliding In at the Upper 90 MKE

I don't quite know if it was the long day riding in a Santa costume on a pub crawl (santa rampage)? or seeing the English Beat in concert at Turner Hall Milwaukee but I was hungry for some good eats at 9:30PM last Saturday eve.

After all that, my friend Jim and I were taking a walk around the block to burn some time until our ride home would arrive. We stumbled upon the Upper 90 on State street near North 4th. I've seen the establishment several times before but, never stopped in. I had time. Why not? Glad we did!

There was a sign outside that stated $1 burgers on Thursday. We peered in the front door. Frying pans piled high. They all had a patina that look like good food was cooked here.
Honestly, I only wanted a little information about what Upper 90 meant and what kind of fare they offered. (and more information on the $1 burger deal) The hostess was super helpful and fun.

The Upper 90 menu has an extensive breakfast offering and even more impressive beer list. What about those burgers? Not sure if we were up for the whole burger, we had limited time. So, maybe a cocktail or beer. Next thing we know, we are splitting an appetizer of the Taz Sliders! Hit the spot. Moist, fresh and stuffed with Nueske's bacon and cheddar cheese.
We walked away with a total bill of around $20 for the appetizer, beer and a drink. I think that's pretty decent these days.

Will I go back for a burger? Heck yes! It might be interesting to see if they change anything for Thursday burgers. Of course, that means I will need to have a burger on a different day also. I think I can manage that one. ;)

4.5 out of 5 stars
Quick service, server was fun, price reasonable for downtown (or anyplace) tasty

$16 For A Burger, Okay! I'll Have One?

The Cannery, Newport Beach CA

Menu description:

ANGUS BEEF CHEESEBURGER 16

1/2 lb. angus beef, cheddar, nueskes bacon, lettuce, tomato, served with french fries

What's wrong with me? I'm at a seafood restaurant, by the ocean, celebrating a 75th birthday. I should be having some kind of delicious fish dish. A sixteen dollar burger on the menu? This is a different kind of challenge! At $16, this better be dang tasty! Actually, it's probably a $12 burger but, the view and the staff cost a couple more $$. It was truly a delicious burger. After sharing small pieces with others at the table there was a new kind of understanding of my choice. The samples were the burger only. None of the fancy stuff. That's from me. I'm not going to order it if I have another chance to dine there but, anybody that wants to enjoy a decent burger in a wonderful setting, relaxing and cozy considering the size of the building. (two floors, several bars, sushi etc)

4 of 5 Stars. Good taste, cooked to my request without telling me that they can't cook it medium rare. Family thought it was tasty too.